Expert: Kenton Scott - 7/27/2007

Question
Hi, there.  I am a musical illiterate who has recently acquired a pair of Buffet clarinets which, according to serial numbers, were manufactured in Paris in 1901 and 1902.  They are in pristine condition.  We live in Boise, Idaho, obviously quite far away from any experts on these type of vintage instruments.  Do you have any ideas for me about where to best seek an estimate and the best dealer to approach when we are ready to sell these clarinets?  Thank you so very much for your time.

Mandy

Answer
Quite frankly, if selling them is your intention, I would recommend simply taking very good pictures of them and selling them on eBay.  The value of instruments tends to raise to the proper value as there are so many potential buyers looking at them.

Reserves don't make much sense to me.  The price is going to rise to where is should no matter whether you start high or at $.99.  I would only suggest that you set the starting price at a level that you feel is the minimum you can accept for it.